The new product or service development (NPD/NSD) process is arguably the most important dynamic capability within a firm, with success at innovation being vital not only for firm success but also for survival. Despite this, little is known about innovation in Ireland; specifically, about how organisations manage for innovation. Auditing 347 firms across numerous sectors in Ireland our research finds that the majority of firms do not have a formal innovation process with service sector firms being the least likely to have a formalised process. Yet, clear evidence of the benefits of having an innovation process exist, with these being most evident in the launch and diffusion of innovations. At the same time, firms without a process are more successful in the ideation, or idea generation phase with these firms also having a better record in creating ‘new to the market’ ideas than firms who conform to an a-priori process.